Easement in Arizona
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Arizona enforces easements as binding property rights and permits easements by prescription after ten years of continuous use.
How Arizona treats Easement
Arizona recognizes express, implied, and prescriptive easements. A prescriptive easement requires ten years of open, notorious, exclusive, and adverse use under a claim of right. Arizona courts strictly construe easement grants and do not expand an easement holder's rights beyond the stated purpose. The state also recognizes easements by necessity when land becomes landlocked, and such easements terminate when the necessity ends.
The general definition of Easement
The right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose, like crossing it or running utilities.
An easement gives one person or entity the legal right to use another person's property in a limited way. For example, a utility company might have an easement to run electric lines under your yard, or a neighbor might have an easement to cross your land to reach their property. The property owner still owns the land but cannot prevent the easement holder from exercising their right.
Read the full Easement entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.